They say that golf is a game that can only be played never mastered. Having played off and on (more off than on) for 50+ years I can attest to the truth of that statement. Here lately I haven’t given much time or effort to it. I went out yesterday and played a few holes and the lack of attention to my game was very evident. Frankly I looked like someone just taking up the game, instead of someone who had spent much of his adult life pursuing and enjoying the game. I was trying to remember old habits that I thought were engrained in my life, only to realize nothing lasts forever. After a few holes some form of a swing reemerged and I did a little better. I may try to get out more often this summer, and even spend some time practicing, that would help. But again you can only play it, never master it. Yet I play on.
Our Christian walk is much the same. We can work on it every day and never really say we have it mastered, however when I spend time away from the Lord it shows up and not in a good way. Habits that have been developed over time such as prayer and Bible study can just as easily be forgotten. You don’t realize the power of being in the Word every day until you aren’t. God doesn’t speak as loudly or clearly when you wander away from the Word. You sit down and open the Bible up and it is as if a fresh breeze just blew in your face on a hot dry day, a reminder that you’ve been gone too long.
Summer is a time to get back into those habits (actually any time is a good time). Let’s do the 5 challenge. If you aren’t currently spending any time in prayer and Bible study start with five minutes of each, just ten minutes out of your day. If you have a steady habit of Bible study and prayer add five minutes to each. Those who exercise daily understand this. That workout that really helped you in the beginning isn’t doing much for you now. Why? Because your body is use to it, it needs a little more challenge. If you are reading over the same section of scriptures all the time explore a book you haven’t read. I know our tendency is to stay with what we know, what we are comfortable with. I love Paul’s letters, very practical, speaks to the church today, however the Old Testament still has much to say. And your prayer life may also be in a rut. Couples after several years of marriage tend to fall into repetitive conversations and get rather bored with each other. In prayer get more specific in your requests; look for new words to praise and honor God. Make yourself think about what you are praying.
Make this summer not an escape from God but a refresher on getting closer to God; you’ll notice the difference come fall.
Don
Our Christian walk is much the same. We can work on it every day and never really say we have it mastered, however when I spend time away from the Lord it shows up and not in a good way. Habits that have been developed over time such as prayer and Bible study can just as easily be forgotten. You don’t realize the power of being in the Word every day until you aren’t. God doesn’t speak as loudly or clearly when you wander away from the Word. You sit down and open the Bible up and it is as if a fresh breeze just blew in your face on a hot dry day, a reminder that you’ve been gone too long.
Summer is a time to get back into those habits (actually any time is a good time). Let’s do the 5 challenge. If you aren’t currently spending any time in prayer and Bible study start with five minutes of each, just ten minutes out of your day. If you have a steady habit of Bible study and prayer add five minutes to each. Those who exercise daily understand this. That workout that really helped you in the beginning isn’t doing much for you now. Why? Because your body is use to it, it needs a little more challenge. If you are reading over the same section of scriptures all the time explore a book you haven’t read. I know our tendency is to stay with what we know, what we are comfortable with. I love Paul’s letters, very practical, speaks to the church today, however the Old Testament still has much to say. And your prayer life may also be in a rut. Couples after several years of marriage tend to fall into repetitive conversations and get rather bored with each other. In prayer get more specific in your requests; look for new words to praise and honor God. Make yourself think about what you are praying.
Make this summer not an escape from God but a refresher on getting closer to God; you’ll notice the difference come fall.
Don
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